Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade: council’s war plan which will save the facade and interior

Gold Coast City Council has spelled out steps it intends to take to save the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade from demolition.

THE Gold Coast City Council will seek stop work orders if necessary as it steps up its bid to save the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade.

Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell today confirmed the council had sent letters to State Development Minister Cameron Dick and Environment Minister Leanne Enoch.

Mr Dick has been asked to sign off on a temporary local planning instrument, and Ms Enoch on “stop work orders if required” to prevent any demolition of the building because it had heritage value.

Inside the Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

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“I can now confirm that council has moved to protect the Burleigh theatre arcade. We have endorsed a TLPI, which is a temporary local planning instrument, to have the heritage of that building protected. We are now awaiting State Government sign off,” Cr Caldwell told the Bulletin.

Councillors had agreed changes needed to be made to the planning scheme first with a

TLPI, then the State heritage listed register. The Ministers are yet to respond.

“Part of council’s resolution is that we would work with the land owners, we were certainly hoping we would be able to do that in a discreet fashion with those sellers and buyers,” Cr Caldwell said.

Gold Coast City Councillor Cameron Caldwell.

“I’m scheduled to meet with the buyers on Monday. I’m hopeful they will thoroughly take on board council’s consideration of this matter. And into the future the heritage of this building will be acknowledged.”

While there had been speculation about the property’s future, council had yet to receive any development applications, Cr Caldwell said.

The Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, at 64 Goodwin Tce, was placed on the market in April through Steven King, of Colliers, and Mr Young, of Black and Young.

Sydney-based property development company Weiya Holdings bought the landmark site for $18.5 million and intends to demolish the building, replacing it with a luxury 14-level apartment tower and new arcade at its base.

Outside the arcade. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Cr Caldwell said councillors had recognised there was significant community interest in the building and moved quickly to protect it.

Council has a list of potential important heritage sites and the building had “shown up in that work”.

“Obviously with the recent speculation in relation to the sale of the property it was important we acted quickly,” Cr Caldwell said.